Boat propelling and maneuvering attachment



Feb. 24, 1942'.

-J. E. BEVINGTON BOAT PROPELLING AND MANEUVERING ATTACHMENT F'ild Nov. 14, 1938 '2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. J HN E. Bzvme'rou M M ATTORNEYJ.

,1 J. E. BEVINGTON 2, 3,8 5

BOAT PROPELLING AND MANEUVERING ATTACHMENT Filed Nov. 14, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Joan BBEvme'roN 1w, MMM

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 24, 1942 UNITED STA-TES- PATENT OFF-ICE,

BOAT rnorsrame AND mauvsamc ATTACHMENT John E. Bevlngton, Cleveland, Ohio Application November 14, 1938 Serial No. 240,249

1 Claim.

This invention relates to boat propelling mechanism and has to do more particularly with an attachment that is especially intended for use by fishermen for the p 'POse of propelling and 'maneuvering a boat while casting or fishing practicable.

-The principal object of the invention is the production of anattachment for small power boats, rowboats, canoes, or similar craft that may be quickly and conveniently fastened to the stern, side or other part of the craft and easily operated with one hand and without perceptible noise or vibration for propelling the craft forwardly or rearwardly and for steering it.

Another object is to provide a manually operated boat propelling device incorporating different gear ratios whereby the boat may be driven forwardly and backwardly at relatively low speeds when maneuvering for near shore positions, and at a higher rate of speed fortrolling.

Another object is to provide an attachment of the aforesaid nature wherein the major structure or main frame is pivotally supported insuch manner that .it may tilt readily in case the end in the region of the propeller strikes an obstruction thereby to avoid breakage of any part of the device, or so that it may be tilted to lift the propeller outof the water when it is desired to propel the boat by other means, such as by oars or by the use of an outboard motor or other power unit. 7

A further object is to make the main frame of the device in sections-so that the sections may be disconnected from each other and arranged in a compact relation for carrying, packing and storing. Pursuant to this end, a further object is to provide a joint between the sections of the frame that permits thev front section to be orientated to any position of angular adjustment with respect to the other section, and which enables the sections to be quickly and conveniently connected and disconnected.

The aforesaid frame is constructed of sections of rigid tubing that encase like sections of a flexible shaft which has the propeller operatively connected to its rear end and'a driving mechanism operatively connected to its forward end; and it is a further object to provide a slip joint driving connection betweenthe sections of the flexible shaft that will automatically disengage when the casing sections are separated and likewise engage when the casing sections are joined together.

A further object is to provide a construction incorporating adjustments whereby the frame may be shifted to various positions vertically of its support so that the elevation of the propeller may be altered according to the depth of the water and the draft and size of the boat, and whereby the an ular relation of the frame to the mounting may be changed to compensate for the various angularities of the stern boards or'other boat and indicating the manner in which it is used; Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the stern board of the boat showing the mounting and adjacent parts of the attachment in side elevation; Figs. 3 and 4 are horizontal sections on the respective lines 33 and 4-4 of Fig. 2, the side members of the mounting being omitted from Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the openside spring socket bearing element; Fig. 6 shows the device in side elevation attached to the stern of a boat, a fragment of the boat being included in vertical section, and the mounting being of a modified form; Fig. 7 is a sectional side elevation of the driving mechanism that is carried by the forward end of themain frame, this and the following views being on a considerably larger scale than Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7; Fig'. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the main frame of the device in the region of the joint by which its sections are adapted to be clamped together and including the slip joint connection between the flexible shaft sections, the view showing the parts in separated condition; Fig. 10 is a view. showing, in end elevation, the separated parts of the joint disclosed in detail in the previous ing 1 includes laterally spaced side members 2 between the lower ends of which is secured, as by a bolt 8. the broad inner end of an arm 4 that is shown as L-shaped in cross section, and the verticalflange of which is provided with a series of holes 5. Pivoted on a bolt 6, supported by and between the upper ends of the side members 2, is a block 'I having a bore that is at right angles to the pivotal axis of the block, and within this bore is iournaled the reduced terminal portion of the shank of a support ,8. A nut 8 is applied to the threaded end of said reduced portion and by tightening the same, the support 8 may be held against turning with respect to the block I. The support 8 has, adjacent its free end, a

7 bearing aperture whose axis is vertical, the supgenerally by the reference numeral l8, and it is made up of sections II and I2 of rigid tubing. The joint or coupling by which the sections ll and-l2 are connected together is shown in detail in Figs. 9 and 10. Over the forward end of the section Ii is engaged a sleeve l5, whose forward end is split a suitable distance inwardly, as shown at [8, for the purpose of rendering the adjacent region of the sleeve yieldable. A band I'I encircles the split end of the sleeve and may be welded or otherwise secured to the sleeve on the side opposite that engaged by a clamping screw [8 that is threaded through the band I! and bears against the sleeve. A screw I8 is extended radially through aligned holes in the sleeve l and the frame section II, and is threaded into the side of a bushing in which is journaled a ter-' minal fitting 2| on the end of a flexible shaft section 22 that is encased in the frame section II.

The end of the flexible shaft section is sweated within'an axial bore in the or otherwise secure rear end of the fitt ng 2|, and the forward end of the fitting is provided with an axial'socket 23, the wall of which is flattened on one side, as indicated at 24 in Figs. 9 and 10. The rear end of the frame section l2 has pressed or otherwise secured therein a bushing 25 within which is Joumaled a terminal fitting 26 that is fastened to the rear end of a flexible shaft section 21; and the outer end of the fitting 26 is reduced in diameter and flattened on one side, as best shown in Fig. 10, to provide an entrant portion 28 that is adapted .to be received by the socket 28 of .the fitting 2| when the end of the frame section i2 is inserted into the sleeve Hi. When the partfshave thus been engaged, the screw i8 boat from a sitting position, the frame section i2 is turned downwardly to one side or the other, one of such positions being indicated in dotted linesinFig.1.

Mounted on the forward end of the frame section i2 is a gear box 88, shown in section-in Figs. 7 and 8. The adjacent endof the flexible shaft section 21 is sweated or otherwise secured within an axialborein-the lower end of a spindle 32 that is Journaled,.adjacent itsinner end, in a bushing 88 that is fitted into the inner end of the frame section l2. Toward its outer. end the spindle I2 is Joumaled in a boss 84 that rises from a cover 88 attached to the open top of the gear box It by screws 80. Keyed or otherwise fastened to the spindle 82 within the gear box is a pinion 31. and where the spindle projects an appreciable distance above the boss 84 it is provided with a laterally extended driving pin 38. Mounted for free rotation upon a stub shaft so (Fig. 8) that is supported by and between the bottom wall 'of the gear box 38 and the cover Ii is an idler pinion 4| that meshes with pinion 81 and with a gear of considerably greater diameter than the pinion 81,.the ratio indicated in the drawings being two to one. The gear 42 is keyed or otherwise secured to a spindle 48 that is Joumaled in bushings 44 and 46 fltted within bosses 48 and 41 on the bottom wall of the gear box 80 and on the cover 8', respectively. Where the spindle 43 projects above the boss 41 it is provided with a lateral driving pin 48, making it identical with the exposed end of the previously described spindle 82. An operating handle or crank I8 is designed for application to, and driving connection with, the ends of the spindles l2 and 48.

The rear end of the flexible shaft section 22, that is encased within the frame section II, is equipped with a solid extension (similar to the spindle 32, for example) and fastened to such extension is the hub of a propeller l2. Depending from the lower end of the main frame in advance of the propeller is a guard 53. The

guard shields the propeller from contact with and damage from submerged obstructions with which the guard collides, and in the event of such an occurrence, provided the impact is of any appreciable force, the main frame swings to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2, this being possible; in part, by reason of the pivotal Y connection between thesupport I and the mounting I.

when the mechanism is in operative position,

a part of the frame I. a distance below the'support 8 occupies the socket of an open-side bearing element 55, shown in detail in Fig. 5. This bearing element is adapted to'be attached to the arm 4 in either of two right angularly related positions by means of a thumb screw it, said screw being received by one or the other of the tapped holes 51 and 58 in the side and rearwalls, respectively,- of the element 55; The element incorporates a spring 5! which imparts to the bearing element the character of a spring socket. The bearing element may be adjusted along the arm 4 by virtue of the series of holes 5 to compensate for variable angular relation between the frame "I, when in normal positionwith its central portion substantially vertical, and the stern boards or other attaching parts of different boats. In order to preserve right angular-relationship between the arm 4 and the adjacent vertical portion of theframe I8, said arm may be clamped in various positions of angular adjustment with respect to the mounting I by means of the bolt 3. When the attachment is mounted on'the stern of-a boat, as shown inthe drawings, the bearing element 56 is mounted upon the arm 4 in. a position to open rearwardly,

and the shank of the support It is clamped by the nut tightly within the block I so that in case the frame It is rocked on. the axis of the bolt 8, either purposely or accidentally, the frame II will be retained in the vertical plane of the socket of the bearing element 55 so that it may be conveniently and quickly returned to operative position.

To adjust the attachment for mounting on the side of a boat, the nut on the bolt [is tightened to lock the block I against swinging. and the nut I. is loosened so as to release the reduced end of the shank of the support 8 and allow the support to rock on the axis of the shank with respect to the block I. This permits the frame II to swing on an axis at right angles to that on which it swings when the attachment is applied to the stern of a boat, and in this arrangement the open side bearing element 55 is attached to the arm I with the screw it occupyin the hole 58 which disposes the bearing element at right angles to the position shown in Fig. 4. In other words, the socket of the bearing element opens in a plane at right angles to the arm l instead of in a plane parallel with the arm, as shown in the drawings.

The modified form of themounting shownin Fig. 6 is designed primarily for attachment to the stern of a boat. Here a support 60 is pivotally supported by and between the side members described support 8. The sides of the split end of the support are adapted to bedrawn toward each other by means of a bolt 62. Extending rearwardly from the lower ends of the side members of the mounting I are slotted arms 63, and an open side bearing element 65, which is somewhat yielding, is adapted to be clamped in any .,desired position of adjustment with respect to the arms 63 through the medium of threaded trunnions 66 that extend through the slots of the arms and have wing nuts 61 applied to their outer ends. The bearing element 65 desirably embraces a little more than half the circumference of the frame and the parts yield sufficiently to permit passage of the frame through the open side of the bearing notwithstanding the fact that the bearing fits rather closely about the frame 65 lengthwise of the arms 63, the straight central portion of the frame section II may be maintained approximately vertical notwithstanding .when the latter is in normal position within the former. The main frame of the device maybe swung further than the dotted line position of Fig. 2 to lift the propeller clear of the water when it is desired to propel the boat by means other than the device. I

The vertical position of the frame It with respect to either of the supports 8 or 60 is maintained by engagement of a collar 68 with the upper side of the support. The collar'is adapted to be locked to the frame by a set screw 69, and by shifting the collar lengthwise of the straight central portion of the frame section II the vertical position of the frame with-respect to the boat may be altered according to the depth of the water and the size and draft of the boat. By virtue of the adjustability of the bearing element the difference in angularity of the stern boards of different boats.

with the parts in the position shown in full line in Fig. 1, the operator may stand in the boat and conveniently reach the operating handle or crank it for rotating the flexible shaft thereby to operate the propeller I2 in either direction.

By a pull upon the operating handle to either side the main frame may be rotated within the support (I or III) and bearing (55 or so as to steer the boat, the frame desirably being held within the support and the bearing with sufficient friction to retain the frame in any position to which it is swung. The required degree of friction may be created by adjustment of the bolts 2' or 62 to prevent said steering action from being interfered with by the rotation of the -operating handle or crank. If the operator desires to sit down in the boat, he may loosen the screw sired position to which it is rotated with-respect to the rear section II.

In trolling it is desirable to propel the boat at a somewhat greater speed than when maneuvering near shore. For such purpose the operating handle Wis withdrawn from the spindle 32 and applied to the spindle 43 under which circumstances one rotation of the handle will impart two rotations to the propeller, as against one in the case of direct drive when the operating handle or crank is applied to the spindle 32. By means of a set screw 60, the handle may be fastened against withdrawal from either spindle.

When it is desired to pack or carry the device, the screw I8 is retracted sufficiently to permit the end of the frame section I2 to be withdrawn from the sleeve I5, in the doing of which the endportion 28 of the fitting 26' withdraws from the socket 2! of the fitting 2|. The mounting I is then removed and the frame sections may be disposed side by side with their longer straight branches in proximity to each other. By reason of the nature of the construction effective lubrication for long periods, may be accomplished by occasionally introducing a suitable lubricant into the gear box 30, and into the frame sections II and I2 through fittings I5.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

A propelling and maneuvering device comprising a mounting for attachment to a part of a boat, a member pivotally connected to the mounting so as to swing on a substantially horizontal axis that is approximately parallel to the plane of that part of the boat to which the mounting is attached, a support pivotally connected to said member to swing on a substantially horizontal axis at right angles to the former axis, a part carried by and extending laterally from the mounting below said member and at substantially right angles to the pivotal axis thereof, an opensided spring-socket bearing element, means for adjustably connecting the same to the mounting with its open side opening in a direction at right angles to either of said horizontal axes, a frame having a part iournaled in the support for rotation on a substantially vertical axis and a second ber and support for locking said member or said support at will against oscillation on its respective pivotal axis. the vdriving mechanism involving an operating handle solely by which the action of the propeller and the controlled movements. of the frame may be efleoted. i v

. JOHN E. BEVINGTON. v 

